Circalittoral muddy sand
English name:
Circalittoral muddy sand
Description (English)
Circalittoral non-cohesive muddy sands with the silt content of the substratum typically ranging from 5% to 20%. This habitat is generally found in water depths of over 15-20 m and supports animal-dominated communities characterised by a wide variety of polychaetes, bivalves such as Abra alba and Nucula nitidosa, and echinoderms such as Amphiura spp and Ophiura spp., and Astropecten irregularis. These circalittoral habitats tend to be more stable than their infralittoral counterparts and as such support a richer infaunal community.
Source: EUNIS habitat classification
Quick facts
| EUNIS habitat type | code A5.26 |
|---|---|
| Bern Convention | Included in a Resolution 4 habitat type at a higher level (A5) |
Vegetation types
Relation to vegetation types (syntaxa)
Not availableSpecies mentioned in habitat description
Invertebrates
Abra alba
Invertebrates
Astropecten irregularis
Invertebrates
Nucula nitidosa
| Species scientific name | English common name | Species group |
|---|---|---|
| Abra alba | Invertebrates | |
| Astropecten irregularis | Invertebrates | |
| Nucula nitidosa | Invertebrates |
Other classifications
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Habitat Classification Britain/Ireland 0405 | SS.SSa.CMuSa | Circalittoral muddy sand | source |
| CORINE Land Cover | 5.2.3. | Sea and ocean | n/a |
History
| Classification | Code | Habitat type name | Relationship type |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200410 | A5.26 | Circalittoral muddy sand | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200308 | A4.27 | Circalittoral muddy sand | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 200202 | A4.27 | Animal communities of circalittoral muddy sands | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199910 | A4.28 | Animal communities of circalittoral muddy sands | same |
| EUNIS Habitat Classification 199811 | A4.71 | Animal communities of circalittoral muddy sands | same |
